Anderson will be meeting with his agency’s regional staff in Spokane on Wednesday.

Area schools to get trout

OUTCLASS – The mystery of where fish originate will be solved in four area fifth-grade classrooms this winter.

The Spokane Fly Fishers recently approved $2,000 to join Trout Unlimited in sponsoring a Trout in the Classroom programs at Loon Lake, Tekoa, Valley and Davenport.

Students will be raising trout from hatchery-supplied eggs beginning this week and releasing fingerlings in May at Liberty Lake.

The objective is to teach students about fish, life cycles, habitat, environment and more.

The funding helps buy a tank, chiller system, filtration system, and other supplies needed to rear the fish.

It costs $1,300 to fully equip a classroom, TU says. Donations to help expand the program are welcome.

Call 455-4433 or 928-6315.

Ski resorts cater to novices

OUTGOING – Cheap packages on learning to ski and snowboard are being offered this month at Silver Mountain, 49 Degrees North, Mt. Spokane and Lookout Pass.

Check out the “EZ Ski” or “Ride 1-2-3” packages, which include three lift tickets, three rentals, and three lessons. Cost: $89 - $139, depending on the mountain. Info: skinwrockies.com/ez-ski-ride-1-2-3.

Parks set no-fee dates

OUTGOING – Many national parks will be waiving entrance fees for 17 days in 2011.

That could save visitors fees ranging from $3 to $25 a day.

Fees will be waived on the weekend of Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 15-17), National Park Week (April 16-24), the first day of summer (June 21), National Public Lands Day (Sept. 24) and the weekend of Veterans Day (Nov. 11-13).

Fee-free days have been offered the past two years as a cost-friendly family vacation option in the economic slump.

The free weekends cost the agency $750,000-$1 million in lost revenue a day, National Park Service officials said.

Error in new Idaho fish regs

OUTREACH – Idaho officials have noted an error in the new 2011 state fishing regulations. On the Coeur d’Alene River and tributaries (to the confluence of the North Fork and South Fork) delete the line that says: “No bait allowed, barbless hook required.”